Guro pepe?: Examining the idea of "Rizal as martial artist" in popular biographical sources

Issue Date

1-2020

Abstract

Rizal's identity has been commonly tied to that of an intellectual propagandist, an ilustrado who utilized more of his brains than brawn. However, it must be noted that biographies about Rizal were able to mention the physical development and martial arts enthusiasm of Rizal albeit briefly. Such information captured the minds of current martial arts enthusiasts that a narrative of Rizal as a practitioner as well as a teacher or guro of Arnis was even accepted.

This study therefore aimed to examine the historiography or the writing, interpretation, and presentation of the idea of Rizal as a martial artist in popular biographies, sources, and online articles. Doing so provides us an investigation of the veracity of these narratives. Analysis of the historiographies, including comparison of selected letters, either affirms the information provided in these popular biographies or uncovers hagiographies, anachronisms, or invented traditions in the narratives of Rizal as martial artist and especially as an Arnisador. Consequently, such examination necessitates understanding the historical context of physical education, extra-curricular activities, and education itself during Jose Rizal's time.

Finally, the study wanted to present Rizal's perspective, whether it came from the interpretation of his biographers or his own letters, on the importance of martial arts and physical education to the development of a person.

Source or Periodical Title

U.P. LOS BAŇOS JOURNAL

ISSN

0117 1461

Volume

XVIII

Issue

1

Page

117-133

Document Type

Article

Frequency

annually

Language

English

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